Kear calls fans to celebrate big week

Correspondent

John Kear has appealed for the Wakefield fans to turn out in big numbers for their Boxing Day friendly against Leeds at Headingley.

The Wildcats will be defending the trophy that they have won for the last two years and fielding a team that contains some of their high profile close season signings.

Kear said: “We want to give our fans another major Christmas present by retaining the Cravendale Trophy for the third successive year.

“So, the more of them that turn up at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Boxing Day and make themselves heard, will certainly help our team.

“It’s been a big week for the Wildcats fans with the announcement about a possible new stadium on Monday and if we could beat the Rhinos in the Cravendale Challenge it’ll put the seal of a massive Christmas holiday for our fans.”

Kear also recognises that this year’s Cravendale Challenge is not expected to be a cake walk for the Wildcats.

Leeds Rhinos are a proud club and it won’t sit easily with them that Wakefield have beaten them in successive Boxing Days.

“But we’re going to Headingley Carnegie Stadium determined to complete a hat-trick in what for many of our fans is always a key game in every season.”

Kear named the Wildcats team last week and he has gone for a blend of youth and experience, including recently-signed Terry Newton and Ben Jeffries in the middle of the field to work with Trinity’s highly-rated scrum half Danny Brough.

Added Kear: “I’m very happy with the way our pre-season training is progressing and believe that we are developing a credible team at the Wildcats.

“Some of our younger players will be having their first taste of Super League standard Rugby League and that will be good for them both in the short and long terms.

“We’re sending a competitive team to face the Rhinos and, while nothing is ever certain in Rugby League, I know the lads will be rolling their sleeves up for this one.

“It’s a game that matters to this club and it’ll tell me how far along the preparation road we are for the 2010 engage Super League season.”